Gladiators viewers fumed that it was "unfair" after a substitute contender stepped in for the last couple of challenges then secured a place in the final.

Hopeful Mo was forced to withdraw from the programme's semi-final on Saturday (March 14) following an injury and was replaced by Tyler. Tyler inherited the points that Mo had amassed up to that stage, and faced Mo's opponent Finn in the remaining portion of the contest.

Many fans of the BBC show believed it handed Tyler an advantage as he entered the final Eliminator more "fresh" than Finn, who'd competed in more challenges throughout the episode. They were left fuming when Tyler defeated Finn, claiming a spot in the final.

Mo had injured himself during the Everest challenge, and was seen lying on the floor. He left the arena in a wheelchair, with host Bradley Walsh explaining that he was being taken backstage to see medics, reports the Mirror.

The presenter subsequently told viewers: "We saw Mo sustain an injury, now he has been assessed by our medical team, he is comfortable and doing well, but unfortunately he is no longer able to continue in this competition."

"So that means that we will now introduce another contender," said co-host Barney Walsh, who is Bradley's son. "Please welcome back, Tyler!"

Tyler then tackled the Hang Tough challenge, before advancing to the Eliminator, which he won.

"Shocking for Finn," one viewer posted on X, which was formerly Twitter.

"Works his a** off then best loser gets brought in, takes points and gets to the final. What a joke Gladiators."

"Sorry, but isn't that a bit unfair?" asked somebody else. "Sadly a contestant gets injured so a replacement comes in fresh, takes the injured contestants points and wins through to the final. Feel sorry for Finn."

"I don't think that's fair getting into the final off the back of one game," said another fan.

One viewer remarked: "I know there's a lot going on in the world but I'm unspeakably cross about that result. So unfair. Why not just let Finn get a bye into the final and not run the men's Eliminator?"

"Finn was robbed, the rules when contenders get injured and replaced need to be reviewed, how could he compete against someone who hasn't used up all his energy doing all the events!" asked another viewer.

Another posted on the platform: "Absolute joke that Tyler does 1 event and is fresh, Finn does 5 events and loses his place in the Grand Final due to fatigue clearly.

"Finn should have been given a bye into the final!"

The BBC has been approached for comment.

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Gladiators airs on BBC One.